Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Badat
Question:
If I do not pray witr, is my ʿEsha prayer still valid?
Answer:
In the Name of God, Most Kind, Most Merciful
Thank you/ Jazak Allah Khayr for contacting Mathabah with your question.
Witr is an emphasized prayer that is attached with the ʿEsha prayer. Technically, the ʿEsha prayer is valid even though one has left out the witr prayer.
Abu Saʾid (may God be pleased with him) reports from the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him), “The one who sleeps from [the obligation of] witr or forgets it, must perform it when they wake up or remember it.” – (Hakim, Dar Al-Qutni)
Mainstream View
Majority jurists, including the Shawafiʾ, Malikiyyah and Hanabilah are of the view that witr prayer is sunnah muʾakkadah (an emphasized prophetic practice). Therefore, it should only be left out in dire circumstances, and there will be no make up (qada) for it, if not performed.
ʿAli Ibn Abi Ṭalib (may God be pleased with him ) said, “Witr is not mandatory in the manner farḍ prayer is, rather it is sunnah.” – (Sahih Muslim)
Hanafi Position
Hanafi jurists are of the view that witr is wajib (obligatory). If missed, it must be made up.
“Witr is a right [owed to God]. The one who does not offer witr is not among us [muslims].” – (Abu Dawud)
And Allah Knows Best.
Proudly brought to you by Mathabah, read more here.
